Houston police chase but lose burglar seen on roof of convenience store

Updated 10:31 am, Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Houston police chase but lose burglar seen on roof of convenience store

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Houston police chased but failed to apprehend a man they say broke into a convenience store through a hole in the roof to rob slot machines.

The Sunco Marketplace in the 8000 block of De Priest was targeted just before 2 a.m. Tuesday.

According to Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon, the suspect was seen by police on the roof of the store after burglarizing three of the store's eight-line video slot games. The store's security alarm had gone off, alerting police to the scene.

The officer and a K-9 unit gave chase but lost the suspect in the nearby Acres Home neighborhood.

"There was a hole on one side of building where the suspect had apparently tried to get out before exiting through the roof," said Cannon.

It appeared the suspect was not targeting the cash register.

He has been described by police as a black male, believed to be in his 30s, 5 feet 9 inches, and 170 pounds.

There was no word on how much cash the suspect got away with. The store's owner has handed over video surveillance footage to investigators.

Cannon said anyone with information on this burglary is asked to call HPD's burglary and theft division at 713-308-0900, or to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime-stoppers.org for details.

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